Padres Sign Former Dodgers, Yankees Outfielder

Alex Verdugo joins Padres on minor league deal after stints with Red Sox, Braves

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The San Diego Padres have signed outfielder Alex Verdugo to a minor league deal, per reports. Verdugo, a former top prospect of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will report to the Padres' minor league camp as he looks to work his way back to the major league roster.

Why it matters

Verdugo was once considered a rising star in the Dodgers' system, but has struggled to find consistent playing time and production at the MLB level with the Red Sox, Yankees, and Braves over the past few seasons. The Padres are taking a low-risk flier on the 29-year-old outfielder in hopes he can regain his form and provide depth to their roster.

The details

Verdugo was originally traded from the Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox in the blockbuster Mookie Betts deal in 2020. He then spent time with the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves over the last two years, but has not been able to solidify himself as an everyday big-league player. The Padres are giving him a chance to compete for a roster spot in spring training on a minor-league contract.

  • Verdugo signed with the Padres on March 1, 2026.

The players

Alex Verdugo

A 29-year-old outfielder who was once a top prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers' system.

San Diego Padres

The Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California.

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What’s next

Verdugo will report to the Padres' minor-league camp and look to earn a spot on the major-league roster during spring training.

The takeaway

The Padres are taking a low-risk flier on Verdugo, a former top prospect who has struggled to find consistent playing time in the majors. If he can regain his form, he could provide valuable depth to the Padres' outfield.